Rental Dispute Center (RDC) Dubai: Everything You Need to Know

Role Of The Rental Dispute Center

Let us first understand the importance and role of a rental dispute center in Dubai. Simply put, a rental dispute center is similar to a court, except its sole focus is to mediate and solve real estate disputes between landlords and tenants.

The governing authority for rental dispute centers is the Dubai Land Department - and it authorizes various centers across the city to function as rental dispute centers. 

List of Services Provided by RDC Dubai 

The Rental Dispute Center in Dubai offers several key services to help landlords and tenants resolve issues quickly and fairly. These include:

• Rent increase disputes – when landlords or tenants disagree about rent adjustments

• Eviction cases – resolving disputes related to notices or reasons for eviction

• Non-payment of rent – handling claims when rent is delayed or unpaid

• Security deposit issues – settling disagreements over withheld or damaged deposits

• Maintenance and repair disputes – clarifying responsibility for property upkeep

• Lease termination disagreements – reviewing cases where one party ends the contract early

• Property ownership or joint ownership cases – handling disputes over shared ownership or title

When To Approach The Rental Dispute Center

If you bring your case to a Dubai rental dispute settlement center, you must know that processing a case can take a considerable amount of time and money. This is why it's important to understand whether or not you should approach a rental dispute center about your issue.

The most common disputes that bring people to a rental dispute center in Dubai are:

• Unreasonable grounds for eviction (in normal circumstances, the landlord must give the tenant 12 months' written notice of eviction).

• Rent increase by the landlord that doesn’t abide by the Dubai rent increase law or where notice is not given at least 90 days before contract renewal.

• Cutting off essential services to the tenant 

• Leasing an apartment that has clear defects or a pest infection 

• Unreasonable deductions from the security deposit 

• Harassment from the landlord (such as entering the property without taking the tenant’s permission) 

• Failure to pay the rent on time by the tenant (on multiple occasions) 

In such cases, either party can approach the rental dispute center with the required documentation and evidence. 

Documents Required For A Rental Dispute Application

Your documentation is paramount when presenting your case at a rental dispute center. The more in order your papers are, the higher your chances of winning your case. 

Here are the documents generally required when you present a real estate dispute case to the authorities:

• Latest DEWA bill 

• Ejari tenancy contract and certificate 

• Tenant’s passport and visa copy 

• Title deed

• Landlord’s passport copy

• Copy of Emirates ID of both parties 

• Rental deposit slips 

• Copies of cheques made to the landlord 

• Proof of prior correspondence between both parties 

• Any supporting documents related to the rental dispute 

The Dubai Land Department Rental Dispute Center may require some of the abovementioned documents to be translated into Arabic. Ensure that you get that done before presenting your case. 

Online vs In-Person Filing & Tracking Your Case 

You can file your case at the Rental Dispute Centre either online or in person. Once filed, it’s important to track the progress so you don’t miss any key dates or orders.

Whether you file online or offline, you can visit the RDC website and log in to view the status of your case by entering your:

• Case number

• Case type

• Case year

If you prefer a face-to-face update, you can visit the RDC in person and speak with a representative.

Filing Fees & Other Costs at the RDC

It helps to be prepared for the costs before you file a case. Below are typical fee levels:

• Base filing fee: 3.5% of the annual rent (or claimed amount) – with a minimum of AED 500 and maximum up to AED 20,000 for rental/lease cases.

• For pure financial claims (money owed): 3.5% of the claimed amount, minimum AED 500, capped up to AED 15,000.

• Cases involving both eviction + financial claim may see a cap up to AED 35,000 (depending on scope).

• Additional fixed fees:

  • Process service fee – AED 100

  • Knowledge fee – AED 10

  • Innovation fee – AED 10

  • Power of Attorney registration (if required) – AED 25.

There are also optional or extra fees that could apply, including:

• Fast-Track notification – approx AED 105

• Service partner fee via Real Estate Trustees Centres – AED 130 + VAT

Timeframe And Resolution Process

Here is what you can expect if you approach a rental dispute center in Dubai to resolve a dispute:

• You can visit the RDC Head Office and present your documents to an assigned RDC typist who will complete your RERA complaint. 

• The typist will understand your rental dispute and formalise your complaint. You can also file an online complaint on the Rent Disputes Resolution Portal. 

• Upon registering your case, your file will be transferred to the Arbitration Department, which aims to resolve such cases within 15 days. 

• After 15 days, a resolution is provided. If both parties agree to the resolution, then the process is over. 

• If not, you must file a lawsuit for your RERA complaint. The timeframe for receiving a verdict for this is 30 days. 

• If a lawsuit is filed, you will be allotted a date and time by RERA to present your case. The hearing may take a few hours. 

• If the bench determines that your case is not substantial or that you do not have enough evidence, you will have to appear for another hearing. 

• The losing party can appeal within 15 days of the verdict. However, an appeal can only be filed for rental dispute cases that are greater than AED 50,000.

• If you decide to take your case to the Court of Cassation, your case value must be at least AED 330,000. The appeal can be filed within 30 days of the final judgment. This process could take as much as months to resolve. 

How The Rental Dispute Center Facilitates Mediation

Here is how a rental dispute center in Dubai can facilitate mediation between both parties:

• The platform has experts who intervene and mediate between both parties to help them arrive at amicable solutions. 

• Various online services are provided to simplify case registration and track case status. 

• The rental dispute centers provide ample information and guidance that can help people understand their rights and regulations (as tenants and landlords) and the city’s laws and regulations.  

Contact Information, Location & Working Hours of the RDC

To get in touch with the Dubai Land Department rental dispute center, you can use the following modes:

• Call them at +971 - 8004488

• Visit them at the Dubai Land Department Building, Baniyas Road, PO Box: Dubai 1166, Makani: 30404 94991, United Arab Emirates

The office’s working hours are:

• Monday to Thursday: 7:30 AM to 3:30PM

• Friday: 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Conclusion

The Rental Dispute Center Dubai ensures fair and transparent resolutions for disputes between tenants and landlords. These centers provide a structured legal framework to address rental disagreements effectively, offering mediation and arbitration services that prioritize both parties' rights.

Whether you're dealing with eviction issues, rent hikes, or contract violations, the Dubai rental dispute settlement centers offer a streamlined process backed by expert guidance and legal authority.

By understanding the required documentation and the steps involved, tenants and landlords can navigate disputes more confidently and efficiently. The RDC’s commitment to resolving cases promptly, whether through mediation or legal proceedings, underscores its importance in maintaining harmony in Dubai’s rental market. For anyone facing rental challenges, the Dubai Land Department Rental Dispute Center is a trusted resource for legal assistance and resolution.